Since the day we started this NBA 1-on-1 tournament, just about everyone predicted a Kobe-versus-LeBron meeting in the finals. To be honest, we kind of figured it would go that way too, but it was still fun going through the other 94 best players in the League to see how everything would shake out. (Brandon Roy ballot box-stuffing controversy notwithstanding.)
In a bit of a surprise, though, LeBron came real close to not even making it here. In his semifinal matchup with Kevin Garnett, ‘Bron tied with KG in the fan voting (tallied through Sunday). So as we’ve done before when there was a tie, it was up to the Dime editorial staff to vote ourselves and settle the stalemate. And in a near-unanimous decision, LeBron advanced to the championship and the much-anticipated matchup with Kobe.
Here are the rules: Straight 1-on-1, make-it take-it, game to 11 (by ones and twos), obviously hypothetical. And since some of you always ask, for this occasion we flipped a coin and LeBron gets the rock first. Vote in the comments section to determine the League’s top dog:
CHAMPIONSHIP
Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James
Final Four voting:
Bryant 72, McGrady 8
James 40, Garnett 40
April 15th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Octopus Jonny says:
Kobe
April 15th, 2008 at 9:07 am
YOUNGFED says:
K-HOVA over Lebron “Donkey Kong” James
April 15th, 2008 at 9:08 am
GEE...Sit yo 5 Dolla #$% down before I make change says:
When even LeBron admits himself that Kobe is a better player than him. You already know.
Kobe!
April 15th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Michorizo says:
Who is the better penetrator?
April 15th, 2008 at 9:24 am
mike brown says:
Kobe would dominate
April 15th, 2008 at 9:26 am
control says:
I’m suprised Tmac only got 8 votes…if his back wasn’t such a health issue, I would have said he could beat anyone 1on1, in the world. Of course, he’s gimped, so Kobe would win.
Kobe vs LeBron…Kobe.
Guy should probably win MVP as well, he’s taken his game to another level this year, and considering that he was already on a whole different level than anyone else, that is pretty damn amazing.
April 15th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Student of the Game says:
Kobe hands down.
April 15th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Ray says:
Kobe
April 15th, 2008 at 9:29 am
hahns says:
kobe
April 15th, 2008 at 9:32 am
YOUNGFED says:
@Post #4 Michorizo says,
“Who is the better penetrator?”
You have to ask that Colorado Chick that. But my guess would be K-HOVA aka “Lord Fudge Packer” aka “I Beatz Boo Boo” LMAO.
Alright I’m done.
April 15th, 2008 at 9:32 am
yoda says:
mamba
April 15th, 2008 at 9:36 am
iain. says:
kb24
April 15th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Juanito says:
Carmelo Anthony
April 15th, 2008 at 9:48 am
zs says:
Kobe, even on a bum finger
April 15th, 2008 at 9:51 am
YOUNGFED says:
@Juanito
WTF?
April 15th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Ever says:
The mamba
April 15th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Prof. TX says:
Sad that this just turned into a popularity contest. It should be renamed to “1 on 1, who has the better marketing team?”
Dime, you guys really all saw LeBron’s shots getting over a bigger, stronger, and more tenacious Garnett? That’s surprising, given how much credit KG is getting this year for playing aggressive D.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:00 am
James says:
Kobe is better but in 1 on 1 you have to go with Lebron - he would take it to the basket every time- with his size and strength advantage- then pull up on the wide open J
April 15th, 2008 at 10:03 am
gary says:
kobe wins a close one. bron would post the hell outta kobe though . but when its said and done. kobe.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Gareth says:
kobe
April 15th, 2008 at 10:17 am
reidd says:
kobe
April 15th, 2008 at 10:22 am
SayItAintSo says:
Kobe with surprising ease. LBJ would have to start posting up from the three point line ever time and just backing him down with pure strength all the way to the rim. No chump is going to do that and Kobe would probably end up with a steal in there somewhere as it is, otherwise this game would be decided by Kobe’s immensely better defensive skills and superior lateral movement (WHEN HE WANTS TO DO THOSE THINGS, and you know Mamba would show up for 11 points to establish himself as the best).
Final factor that gives Kobe the nod over Bron: desire. He wants to be the best at everything WAY more than LeBron does.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Diddy says:
Kobe in a 11-0 shut out! lol…
Mamba all day
April 15th, 2008 at 10:35 am
JJ says:
KB8, Kobe aka MAMBA!
April 15th, 2008 at 10:35 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
props to dime for picking King James over KG…
But The Black Mamba beats LBJ in this one.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Celts Fan says:
Kobe
April 15th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Nick Barnes says:
You guys are giving Kobe too much credit and LeBron not enough credit for “killer instinct.”
Who stood there in the corner scratching his ass during a Game 7 against the Suns when he gave up and his team was getting killed? (Kobe)
Who took over in must-win playoff games against the Pistons the last two years? (LeBron)
At no point during the Spurs sweep did I see LeBron give up, whereas we’ve all seen Kobe mail it in during games, like when he does that thing when he won’t shoot it to prove a point. Just cause Kobe has commercials and keeps telling you he HAS to win everything doesn’t mean it’s true. If he was ALL about winning, when the Lakers were talking about trading Shaq he woulda been like, “Fuck that, if you trade Shaq I’m signing somewhere else.” (Since he was a free agent that year.)
April 15th, 2008 at 10:40 am
girlybballluver says:
I don’t think Lebron should’ve gotten the W over Garnett.
James v Bryant…gotta go with Kobe. Kobe maybe smaller, but his killer instinct is stronger. Besides Kobe’s just more talented all around.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:43 am
girlybballluver says:
@ Nick we’re talking about one on one here. Kobe’s monster size ego is why he was cool with the shaq trade. You don’t think that same ego is going to will him to beast the bigger James? Don’t act like you haven’t seen Kobe beast on players bigger than him before.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Fabian says:
Brandon Roy!
April 15th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Matt says:
Lebron is too strong for Mamba and would win by backing him down and dunking on Mamba at will!!
GO King!
April 15th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Nick Barnes says:
Yeah, I’ve also seen LeBron beast on bigger and smaller players. I’ve also seen Kobe get shut down by Bruce Bowen and Shane Battier, who are nowhere near the athletes that Bron is. And Bron has a monster ego, too. If he puts his mind to it he can lock cats down too.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Mike says:
CHAMPIONSHIP
Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James - LeBron James. This is a complete coin toss of a match-up. If they played 20 games, they’d probably each win 10. I’m giving LBJ the chip because he is slightly taller. Not a great reason, but they are too close to each other in pretty much every other category.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Mike says:
Yo Dime, when are you going to do a 1-on-1 tourney with the all-time greats?
Sure, MJ is going to win it with much debate, but it would be fun to talk about Wilt vs. Russel, Pistol Pete vs. Oscar Robertson, and so on.
Set it up!
April 15th, 2008 at 10:55 am
JA says:
Koboots
April 15th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Smitty313 says:
Kobe
April 15th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Big V says:
Kobe. LeBron doesn’t get past KG though.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Nick Barnes says:
Y’all are buggin. Lebron wins it. How’s Kobe gonna stop him?
April 15th, 2008 at 11:13 am
GEE...Sit yo 5 Dolla #$% down before I make change says:
Yo I am with Mike set that ish up DIME. I think it might come down to MJ vs. Bird or MJ vs. Magic more than that. Of course Mj will probably take it all but all the other matches might suprise some people.
Good suggestion Mike.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:13 am
flyp says:
Kobe Bryant
April 15th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Andray3000 says:
KB24
April 15th, 2008 at 11:22 am
dueceduece says:
I think it would be close and intense game…with both players getting to ten and having to duece it mad times before kobe ultimately wins..
April 15th, 2008 at 11:32 am
weezy f says:
lebron
April 15th, 2008 at 11:32 am
the don says:
king james
April 15th, 2008 at 11:35 am
LD says:
As much as it pains me, i think King James is just to strong for KB24 in a 1 on 1
LeBron 11-10
April 15th, 2008 at 11:40 am
sparkyjay23 says:
Kobe
But i’m sure you’ll find a way to give the title to LeBron….
April 15th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Smush Parker says:
My Man KB8
April 15th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Mike C says:
I think a 1-on-1 between them two would result in a lot of jumpers being shot. Kobe wouldn’t go to his post game as much because Bron is bigger and stronger. LeBron doesn’t have a legitimate post-up game to begin with. And since they’re both about even on quickness, there won’t be that many drives to the basket. So there’ll just be a lot of pull-up Js and fadeaways by both of them. Kobe’s the better shooter between the two, so I pick Kobe.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:57 am
ACE says:
You guys picking Lebron over KG, is like the kid who brings the ball to the game…my ball..my rules..right ???
Y even ask the fans..if you know better !!!!
CHAMP:
KOBE any day..anytime..
Now…. go figure out an absurd way to choose Lebron !!
April 15th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Kudabeen says:
Kobe’s on Ball D would be a problem if Bron wanted to do a lot of dribbling, but Bron is big enough to put kobe on his back and athletic enough to rise/lean on kobe to get his shots of around the basket. 6′9 260ish vs. 6′6 220ish (remember that year Kobe came back all brolic? what year was that? it was right before the rape/surgery and he lost all that muscle)
I think kobe’s ball handling and overall offensive arsenal would test Lebron’s poor foot work and he would get to the basket or get separation for his mid-range J all day.
Kobe gets it in a slim one. 11-9.
I just think Kobe has a greater chance to put strings of baskets together. There is no initiated fastbreak for Lebron to pick up a head of steam, it’s straight man-to-man, which can counter momentum/force. Again I will say talent wise, if this was a best of 7 it would go 6/7 games easily.
April 15th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Austin Burton says:
@Ace — When there was a tie, I took a poll of the Dime editorial team. Most of us thought LeBron would win. Where’s the problem?
April 15th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
That Dude says:
I’ll take the Aston Martin Jumper…
April 15th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Marcel says:
Kobe wins it on defense.
April 15th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
dh says:
Kobe 11-6
He’s a veteran. If the game was refereed, he’d be getting and 1’s all day.
April 15th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
nick says:
kobe and kg should have advanced.
April 15th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Bermuda says:
Michael Jordan
April 15th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Michael says:
Kobe
April 15th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
GEE...Sit yo 5 Dolla #$% down before I make change says:
‘’I’d give it to Kobe,’’ James said. ‘’What he’s done this whole year, to carry that team to the No. 1 team in the West right now. He’s playing his best basketball all around. I’ve watched him the whole year. I saw it last summer when I played with him with USA Basketball and the sacrifices he’s made for the team and he’s done that with the Lakers.’’
Various polls done around the country have Bryant and Paul in a dead heat for the award with James coming in third or fourth. Two years ago, James finished second in the voting. Last year, he finished fifth. Bryant hasn’t won the award in his 12 years in the league, but this appears to be his best shot.
‘’I’ve been quoted millions of times saying Kobe is the best player in our league for the last five years,’’ James said. ‘’He hasn’t received the MVP. This is his year I think.’’
http://www.ohio.com/sports/cavs/17718089.html
April 15th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
ACE says:
Its just cause I think the dime crew views might be prejudiced. Pickin Lebron might be in your interests (just like for the NBA), to generate more interest in this column…a kobe-lebron matchup is way more hyped than say a Kobe-KG one ??
April 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
boyez says:
Kobe Bean Bryant
April 15th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
tobacher says:
kobeaster
April 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Jay says:
There’s no way Kobe can stop LeBron one on one. He would get beasted like anybody else in the league. LeBron may not be able to stop Kobe either, but 24 settles on the J too much, they won’t always go in, while a dunk will.
LBJ over Kobe.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
marcus says:
Kobe.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Sam I Am says:
Personally I agree with Ace…I would think KG’s everything would have beaten Lebron’s game…But that’s just my humble opinion…
LOL don’t be banning me from the site now, I love the articles
Go Kobe
April 15th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
godfreyallstar says:
lebron. this is one on one not mvp voting. lebron is tall, strong, fast. his jimmy aint automatic like kobe’s but i dont care. no way kobe stops him from overpowering him
April 15th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
GEE...Sit yo 5 Dolla #$% down before I make change says:
DIME please make sure dudes ain’t doing different names trying to get LeBron the W.
Cause LeBron ain’t stopping Kobe 1 on 1. Even he knows that!
Have people forgotten that LeBron really plays NO D lol. Come on now, Kobe has been know for shutting and I do mean shutting down dudes. That is on a team game where you can have picks and screens and stuff. So that should let anyone know that on a one on one. MAN PLEASE! Kobe will not only put the clamps on dude where all he can do is drive slash travel slash drive, but he gone can not only drive, but Kobe got to many moves for dude. Plain and Simple.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
IGP says:
Kobe wins this game, there is no way he would lose.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
sam says:
kobe
April 15th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Bank says:
ALL NBA D TEAM, KOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE BRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYANT
April 15th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Prof. TX says:
LeBron James
-size and strength without sacrificing speed
April 15th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Jim says:
Dime can’t win these internet people. Either they have a conspiracy against LeBron or they are scheming to pump him up. Or maybe they are just some dudes running a ball site and mag.
…and LeBron. I guess.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
El Diablo says:
Earl Watson
April 15th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Vanilla Ice says:
Lebron is awesome, super-talented, and basketball’s future king.
But, this year anyway, Kobe is the man on top.
April 15th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
G Money says:
Lebron easily… just too strong
April 15th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Brown says:
Bryant
April 15th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
todd says:
Shows you how overrated Kobe is and how underrated King James’ D is. Lebron has the physical advantage, and skills-wise, Lebron isn’t that far off. Plus, as you’ve seen in the cavs-lakers games, LBJ plays up to Kobe’s level everytime.
As for James’ quote that Kobe’s better, he was just being smart and avoided giving Kobe fuel for his fire.
April 15th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
doc says:
We know 40 of you pricks picked KG he lost now get off his hammer.It’s Bron vs Kob.I think Bron comes up to get the checkball while saying Kobe your a beast your the man and then muscles the shit out of him to win just like he did in the 2 games they played this year.
April 15th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
ML says:
Kobe. Fuck you Fantasy Boy.
April 15th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
josh says:
Lebron would bull kobe, but kobe would get stop eventually and rain buckets. Could go either way……flip a coin……kobe wins.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
kowtz says:
@ post 17… I totally agree… I would have gone with KG hands down…
@ post 18… check the first exhibition game of USA Basketball Olympic team, where the last two possessions were given to Kobe and Lebron (on opposing tems) respectively…
and of course they guarded each other… what was the outcome? Kobe swooshed, Bron Bricked…
my vote: kb24
April 15th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
O.G. says:
kobe bryant
April 15th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
K Dizzle says:
kobe….mvp……bryant
April 15th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Wilez says:
KOBE!!!!!!
April 15th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
K Dizzle says:
1 on 1 and lebron’s just gonna post up? LOL
Dime needs to have a tutorial on the game of basketball played one on one. What bron gonna do? post up at the 3 poinr line everytime and back his way down? That’s an insult to bron to say that’s the only way he wins, which he wouldn’t….cuz it’s Kobe and noone plays the one man game better except AI maybe. Who knocked him out? and who knocked out a healthy wade? and where’s lamar? kg? Gil? Baron? Monta? lol, I’m out
April 15th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Austin Burton says:
1-on-1 tutorial right here:
http://dimemag.com/2008/03/28/1-on-1-an-expert-weighs-in/
April 15th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
ERIC says:
KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!!
April 15th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
fLaVa says:
Kobe will take the 1on1 championship just like he’ll also take the NBA MVP
April 16th, 2008 at 2:40 am
beijing kobe says:
KOBE!
April 16th, 2008 at 2:56 am
karan says:
actually, it would’ve been KG beating james, and then beating Kobe, but since dime staff is biased againgst the ticket, my vote goes to mamba
April 16th, 2008 at 3:31 am
smmittos says:
kobe
April 16th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Rockco says:
Young Kob !!!
April 16th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
sans says:
love lebron…but kobe wins
April 16th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
smooth says:
lebron
April 16th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
drewstar says:
kobe. im surprised dime didnt give more credit to KG in his semi against bron.
April 17th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Tim says:
Kobe takes it. Lebron would even tell you that.
Kobe could lock him down. bron cant D up
April 18th, 2008 at 7:21 am
kulas says:
KB24
April 18th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Austin Burton says:
For what it’s worth, everyone in here said a LeBron/KG matchup would be close, but gave ‘Bron the nod.
April 19th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Cavs says:
LeBron would murder KG. It would go down like this. KG up 9-7. Then he would start to choke and my boy lebron would come back and demolish him.
Now on to Kobe vs the King.
I hate to admit it but I think Kobe gets LBJ on this one. LeBron is the single greatest force in the game, but when it comes to getting big time buckets and creating your shot, well gotta give it to Kobe (FOR NOW).
In a close one, sadley, Kobe wins.
April 19th, 2008 at 10:31 am
bendizzle says:
DJ Mbenga…..i mean, kobe
April 19th, 2008 at 10:32 am
D.H. says:
I can’t believe all the 24 votes in here. My vote goes to the bigger, and more powerful LeBron. So often when two players play at close to the same level size and strength dominate: LeBron.
April 19th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Roby21 says:
KG should’ve advanced, no way can LBJ defend KG.
but yeah..Kobe, his defence would get the more stops on LBJ than vice versa.
April 19th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Elyse says:
Kobe.
April 19th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
JSN says:
KB24, League MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and 1on1 tournament.
Nice year mamba
April 20th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
B.Wells says:
kobe
mamba
kb24
April 21st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
MrICE says:
LeBron, gets the ball first and bodies kobe up.
Lebron, plus this year we know for sure that the KOBE’s teamates are better than Lebron’s.
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
sexybeast says:
KOBE!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Gustavo says:
KOBE!!!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:14 pm
rookster says:
kobe
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Jimmy says:
Kobe Bryant.
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
danny says:
kobe.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:38 pm
bad says:
Kobe would win. Better outside shot, better defender.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
shaffy says:
kobe
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 am
gas says:
kobe
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:44 am
mew says:
kobe
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:36 am
ShaqFan says:
Kobe
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
LakeShow87 says:
Kobe would take Lebron in a one on one game. More complete game, better on the defensive end. I would say Kobe win 11 - 8.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
sunsfan85 says:
kobe
April 24th, 2008 at 3:43 am
Robin says:
Wow, did anyone actually watch them play this year? The guys guarded each other in the 4th quarters and guess who got dominated? Not LeBron. Read the recaps of those games if you don’t believe me. The Cavs are 5-0 in their last five against LA.
It makes sense, really. LeBron is bigger and stronger than Kobe, and he’s not slower. He can play physical D inside and contest Kobe on jumpers. LeBron could score easily on power drives and Kobe might never get the ball.
Needless to say, I vote LeBron.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Paul says:
kobe